Prenatal care & screening stories

Oct 29, 2026

Twice-during-pregnancy STI screening reduces preterm birth risk by 23%, study finds

A randomized clinical trial published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that screening and treating pregnant patients for three common sexually transmitted infections twice during pregnancy was associated with a 23% lower risk of preterm birth compared with standard care.

Oct 29, 20263 sources

Apr 20, 2026

Prenatal Medication Exposure Linked to Increased Autism Risk in Landmark Study

A large-scale study analyzing millions of US birth records has identified a significant association between prenatal prescription of certain common drugs and increased autism risk in children.

Apr 20, 20262 sources

Apr 15, 2026

Prenatal Microplastic Exposure Raises Alarm as Hospital Equipment Emerges as Key Source

Prenatal exposure to microplastics raises safety concerns as hospital equipment is identified as a significant source during early development.

Apr 15, 20262 sources

Top claims

▪The Philani Ndiphile Study tested pregnant participants for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis either once at enrollment, twice during pregnancy, or upon symptom presentation.
▪According to co-lead author Andrew Medina-Marino, single-setting trial limitations mean further research is required to determine optimal STI screening timing and target patient populations during pregnancy.
▪Among South African pregnant participants re-screened during their third trimester between 30 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, 9.2% tested positive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis.

Subtopics

Pregnancy & maternal health3 Reproductive Health3 Autism1 Autism & broader neurodiversity1 Clinical trials1 Drug Approval and Clinical Trials1 Drug Policy, Pricing & Approval1 Environmental and Occupational Health1 Environmental exposures & toxicology1 Health screening1 Infectious disease1 Mental Health & Wellbeing1 Microplastics & environmental contamination1 Neurodiversity & Cognitive Function1 Preventive healthcare1 Public health research1 Randomized controlled trial1

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